Abstract: A steering control system adapted for use on a vehicle having two or more wheels each configured to rotate about a rotational axis, at least one of the wheels being a driven wheel and at least one of the wheels being a turning wheel, and an automatic pivot steer mode. The system further comprises a vehicle speed sensor, a steering sensor, a steering control device, a speed control device, and a controller in communication with the speed sensor, the steering sensor, and the speed control device. The controller receives inputs from the speed sensor and the steering sensor and, if both inputs fall within a predetermined range, activates a speed control device thereby altering the rotational speed or direction of at least one of the two or more wheels of the vehicle, reducing the turning radius of the vehicle.

Abstract: A steering control system adapted for use on a paving machine having one or more wheels and an automatic pivot steer mode. The preferred steering control system comprises a speed sensor adapted to determine a paving machine speed, a steering cylinder adapted to move between a straight forward position and a fully turned position, a steering cylinder sensor adapted to determine a steering cylinder position, a flow sharing valve in fluid communication with one or more of the one or more wheels and adapted to be moved between an open position and a closed position, and a controller adapted to communicate with the speed sensor, the steering cylinder sensor, and the flow sharing valve. The preferred steering control system is adapted to automatically open and close the flow sharing valve. Automatically moving the flow sharing valve between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: A heating element hold-down assembly having a heating element adapted to be removably mounted on the screed and a hold-down mechanism adapted to be removably mounted on the screed. The hold-down mechanism comprises a hold-down mechanism frame adapted to contact the heating element, a resilient device adapted to move between an expanded position and a contracted position, a tension shaft, a portion of which is adapted to contact the resilient device, a pin adapted to removably attach the tension shaft to the hold-down mechanism frame, and an adjustment means adapted to be adjustably connected to the screed frame so as to contact the tension shaft. The hold-down mechanism is adapted to maintain contact between the heating element and the screed plate when the screed moves, flexes, or is adjusted.

Abstract: A joint sensor assembly for use on a screed having a movable screed extension and a substantially vertical plate. The assembly has a joint sensor operatively connected to the plate and adapted to transmit a joint location signal, a means for moving the plate which is operatively connected to the extension and adapted to move between a first lateral position and a second lateral position, a valve operatively connected to the means for moving the plate and adapted to move between an open position and a closed position, and a controller adapted to receive the joint location signal and adapted to send a valve signal. The valve signal causes the valve to move between the open position and the closed position, and the movement of the valve causes the means for moving the plate to move between the first lateral position and the second lateral position.

Abstract: An automatic traction system adapted for use on a paving machine having a steering cylinder, one or more wheels, and a joystick. The preferred automatic traction system has a joystick sensor adapted to determine a joystick position, a steering sensor adapted to determine a steering cylinder position, a speed sensor adapted to determine an actual speed of one or more of the one or more wheels, a valve adapted to be moved between an open position and a closed position and is in fluid communication with one or more of the one or more wheels, and a controller adapted to communicate with the joystick sensor, the steering sensor, the speed sensor, and the valve. The preferred automatic traction system automatically controls the rotational speed of the one or more wheels of the paving machine in the event that one or more of the one or more wheels lose traction.

Abstract: A steering control system adapted for use on a paving machine having one or more wheels and an automatic pivot steer mode. The preferred steering control system comprises a speed sensor adapted to determine a paving machine speed, a steering cylinder adapted to move between a straight forward position and a fully turned position, a steering cylinder sensor adapted to determine a steering cylinder position, a flow sharing valve in fluid communication with one or more of the one or more wheels and adapted to be moved between an open position and a closed position, and a controller adapted to communicate with the speed sensor, the steering cylinder sensor, and the flow sharing valve. The preferred steering control system is adapted to automatically open and close the flow sharing valve. Automatically moving the flow sharing valve between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: A screed apparatus including a main screed having a frame, a screed extension, and an extension apparatus configured to mount the screed extension to the main screed. The extension apparatus includes a first mounting member configured to mount to the main screed and to be movable along a first axis with respect to the main screed. A second mounting member is pivotably mounted to the first mounting member and is configured to pivot between a first orientation and a second orientation about a second axis with respect to the first mounting member. A third mounting member is mounted to the second member and is configured to mount to the screed extension. The third mounting member is further configured to be movable along a third axis with respect to the second mounting member while the second mounting member is in the first orientation or second orientation.

Abstract: A material control device having a housing, a material discharge door that has a left end, a right end, and a central axis and is adapted to be moved between a closed position and an open position, and a means for moving the material discharge door between the closed position and the open position. The means for moving the material discharge door between the closed position and the open position slidingly moves the material discharge door between the closed position and the open position. A method for controlling material discharge including providing a material control device and moving the material discharge door between the closed position and the open position.

Abstract: A heating element hold-down assembly having a heating element adapted to be removably mounted on the screed and a hold-down mechanism adapted to be removably mounted on the screed. The hold-down mechanism comprises a hold-down mechanism frame adapted to contact the heating element, a resilient device adapted to move between an expanded position and a contracted position, a tension shaft, a portion of which is adapted to contact the resilient device, a pin adapted to removably attach the tension shaft to the hold-down mechanism frame, and an adjustment means adapted to be adjustably connected to the screed frame so as to contact the tension shaft. The hold-down mechanism is adapted to maintain contact between the heating element and the screed plate when the screed moves, flexes, or is adjusted.

Abstract: A screed extension control system adapted for use on a screed assembly having a main screed, a main screed contact surface, a screed extension, and a screed extension contact surface. The screed extension control system comprises a slope actuator, a height actuator, at least one sensor, and a controller that is adapted to receive feedback from the at least one sensor. A virtual pivot point location is defined by a position where the main screed contact surface and the screed extension contact surface intersect. The controller causes at least one of the slope actuator and the height actuator to move between an extended position and a retracted position to control the position of the virtual pivot point location along the length of the main screed. A method for adjusting the screed extension position relative to the main screed.

Abstract: A material control device having a housing, a material discharge door that has a left end, a right end, and a central axis and is adapted to be moved between a closed position and an open position, and a means for moving the material discharge door between the closed position and the open position. The means for moving the material discharge door between the closed position and the open position slidingly moves the material discharge door between the closed position and the open position. A method for controlling material discharge including providing a material control device and moving the material discharge door between the closed position and the open position.

Abstract: A joint density assembly adapted for use on a screed. The preferred joint density assembly comprises an endgate having a vertical axis. The preferred endgate comprises a frame adapted to be mounted to the screed, a mounting means adapted to mount the frame to the screed, a pivoting shoe adapted to be pivotally adjusted, and a means for adjusting the pivoting shoe which is adapted to move the pivoting shoe between a retracted position and an extended position. The preferred pivoting shoe is adapted to pivot about the vertical axis of the endgate. A method for increasing the density of an asphalt longitudinal joint comprising providing a joint density assembly and adjusting the pivoting shoe.

Abstract: A screed extension control system adapted for use on a screed assembly having a main screed, a main screed contact surface, a screed extension, and a screed extension contact surface. The screed extension control system comprises a slope actuator, a height actuator, at least one sensor, and a controller that is adapted to receive feedback from the at least one sensor. A virtual pivot point location is defined by a position where the main screed contact surface and the screed extension contact surface intersect. The controller causes at least one of the slope actuator and the height actuator to move between an extended position and a retracted position to control the position of the virtual pivot point location along the length of the main screed. A method for adjusting the screed extension position relative to the main screed.

Abstract: A conveyor system adapted for use on an asphalt paver comprising a conveyor system frame, a first pulley that is rotatably mounted to the frame, a second pulley that is rotatably mounted to the frame and spaced apart from the first pulley, and a belt having a pulley-contacting surface and an asphalt-contacting surface and being disposed around the first pulley and the second pulley. The preferred conveyor system also comprises a wiper that is adapted to remove asphaltic material from the asphalt-contacting surface of the belt and a means for rotating the first pulley that is adapted to rotate the first pulley. The preferred conveyor system is adapted to convey asphaltic material between a first area adjacent to the second pulley and a second area adjacent to the first pulley. A method for conveying asphaltic material in a paver comprising providing a conveyor system and conveying asphaltic material.

Abstract: A joint density assembly adapted for use on a screed comprising an endgate having a vertical axis, a frame mounted to the screed, a mounting means adapted to mount the frame to the screed, and a fixed shoe, a bolt-on unit mounted to the screed and disposed between the screed and the endgate, and a means for adjusting the bolt-on unit between a downward position and an upward position. A method for increasing the density of an asphalt longitudinal joint comprising providing a joint density assembly and adjusting the bolt-on unit.

Abstract: A joint density assembly adapted for use on a screed. The preferred joint density assembly comprises an endgate having a vertical axis. The preferred endgate comprises a frame adapted to be mounted to the screed, a mounting means adapted to mount the frame to the screed, a pivoting shoe adapted to be pivotally adjusted, and a means for adjusting the pivoting shoe which is adapted to move the pivoting shoe between a retracted position and an extended position. The preferred pivoting shoe is adapted to pivot about the vertical axis of the endgate. A method for increasing the density of an asphalt longitudinal joint comprising providing a joint density assembly and adjusting the pivoting shoe.

Abstract: A joint density assembly adapted for use on a screed comprising an endgate having a vertical axis, a frame mounted to the screed, a mounting means adapted to mount the frame to the screed, and a fixed shoe, a bolt-on unit mounted to the screed and disposed between the screed and the endgate, and a means for adjusting the bolt-on unit between a downward position and an upward position. A method for increasing the density of an asphalt longitudinal joint comprising providing a joint density assembly and adjusting the bolt-on unit.

Abstract: Heat exchange tubes are mounted on the upper face of the sole plates of the main screed and screed extenders on an asphalt paving machine. Hot oil is circulated through the heat exchange tubes to preheat the sole plates. The heating system for the oil includes a heat exchanger in the exhaust system of the internal combustion engine for driving the tractor of the paving machine. The heating oil is pressurized by a pump driven by a hydraulic motor supplied with pressurized oil in a second hydraulic circuit from a pump driven by the engine. This second circuit is also used to operated the vibratory mechanisms on the screeds.

Abstract: Heat exchange tubes are mounted on the upper face of the sole plates of the main screed and screed extenders on an asphalt paving machine. Hot oil is circulated through the heat exchange tubes to preheat the sole plates. The heating system for the oil includes a pressure drop across a flow restrictor. The heating oil is pressurized by a pump driven by a hydraulic motor supplied with pressurized oil in a second hydraulic circuit from the tractor of the paver. This second circuit is also used to operated the vibratory mechanisms on the screeds after the screeds are preheated.

Abstract: A floating screed for asphalt paving machines has the front edge of its sole plated and bullnose sloping rearwardly from the center to assist lateral flow of the hot asphalt material in front of the main screed and to the front of screed extenders.The bullnose for the sole plate is separate from the sole plate and consists of a pair of bullnose pieces. The construction is such that adjustment of the controlled dishing and warping of the sole plate can be more easily performed.